June 19, 2014

Adding White


You all know how much I enjoy using the color white in my home.  

So when I happen upon a little white treasure I don't often hesitate to bring it home with me.


The newest white addition is this sweet crocheted baby blanket.

The perfect size to use as a lap blanket on a chilly evening.


I love the design of the blanket itself and it's pretty edging.  It's also the softest crocheted blanket I've very touched - so cozy.


It may sort of blend into the background a little, but I am enjoying the extra texture it's given this corner of the living room.


I think it looks so pretty.


And since where talking white.

I just received two new to me decorating books that I ordered.

This one . . . 

Product Details
source


And this one which I am very excited about . . . 


source

I have copies of his two other books; New Farmhouse Style and Summer House.  Both of which I love so I am very much looking forward to reading this one.

I'm trying to save them for when we go camping next . . .  I'm not sure if I'll be successful.

Hope you all have a wonderful day,

Bye now,

Robin

June 17, 2014

Hayward Flea Market Finds



Going to the Flea Market in Hayward, WI is always a highlight of my year.

I look forward to it all year long and it's always a good time.

If your ever in the area, it runs all summer long on Mondays.

Here's what I found this year.

A stack of red baby books,  I love baby books!



A pretty hand stitched pillow case with adorable blue birds and a stitched remnant with flowers that I hope to add to a pillow cover.


A vintage cookbook to add to my collection.


Horse show ribbons from the 70's. 

Love these, just have no idea what I'm going to do with them.


A chicken crate!

Hubby thinks I'm crazy, but it was three dollars - - crazy to pass it up I think.

I'll use it somehow on my gravel patio this summer I think.


A metal watering can to add to my collection!

I was very excited about this find.  It's not in great condition which makes it perfect to use as a planter.


And finally, my favorite find of the flea market . . . .

A vintage sled.


I have been looking for one in my price range for years, this one was only twenty-two dollars - I was nearly hyperventilating. 

I had never seen one like this before, which made it even more special in my book plus the colors are perfectly gorgeous.



All in all it was a wonderful flea market trip for sure.

How about you, any flea markets coming your way?

Bye Now,

Robin

June 16, 2014

Vacation Recap



Once again I have been a bad blogger!

Last week the family and I took off for our first week long camping trip of the season, and bad blogger that I am forgot to let you all know I was going to be gone!

I had every intention of writing up a quick post to keep you informed, but in the busy time leading up to our departure I was running around like a crazy person trying to get everything done and forgot all about it.


We had a wonderful time and even better weather.  Only one day was a little rainy and cold.

We all kept busy swimming, kayaking, and atving with plenty of campfire time each evening.  I'm embarrassed to mention I fell asleep at the campfire not once but twice . . .the kiddos thought is was hilarious!

The highlight of our camping trip for me every year is the flea market on Monday's.  Tomorrow I'll show you all the fun stuff I found.

We look forward to our trip to Hayward every year and it was not disappointing.  We were having so much fun it was very hard to leave it all behind and travel back home.

It always feels good to be back at home though.  I even had a surprise awaiting me . . . my peonies were in bloom!!!!

I scurried out to the garden bright and early this morning to pick as many as I could.

I then scattered them all over the house.


A bucket for the kitchen table...


A few for my bedside table...


Some more for the shelf in the kitchen . . .


Of course the dinning table needed some too . . .


I didn't forget the living room either . . .


And since flowers are so fun to share, I filled two enamel pitchers with peonies to give to my wonderful neighbor who made sure my garden didn't get too crispy while I was away.  I can't wait to bring them over to her this evening.



Bye now,

Robin

June 3, 2014

Glorious Gardening



Good Morning Everyone!

Hope your week is going well.  Here at my house it's the first week with the kids on summer break.  We're all adjusting to our new schedules.  The kids are in an uproar about their chores and I'm just trying to find time for all my essential daily tasks.  Hopefully, things will settle into a good routine that will give the kids plenty of activity time and a little mom time too! 

Lately, I have been spending every free moment I can in the garden.  I even worked it out to have two marathon days where I've spent eight plus hours in the garden in one day.  Those are my favorite days.  There just always seem to be something to do in the garden.

For those of you who garden, you can probably relate to the mad dash it takes every spring to get ready for planting.  It seems like here in Minnesota with our weird, cold spring we had only about a week to prepare and get ready.

So I scrambled around, starting in the veggie garden, preparing and amending the soil.  Drawing up a planting plan and then getting everything planted.  Mulch finished up the project and then of course it's time to weed again.  LOL.


My trusty garden companion has been with me the whole time.  She chases birds and squirrels out of our yard and barks at people walking by through the fence. 

 If she's not sitting in the flower beds right next to where I'm working catching a breather,  she's on a continuous loop around the yard making sure everything is on the up and up.  

I think she enjoys her garden time as much as I do.


The veggie garden has been planted and mulched.  
We're on the look out for new seedling on a daily bases - - most day's we are pleasantly surprised with the gardens progress.


Ms. Shell Bell and I planted sugar snap peas, cucumbers, onions, zinnia's and more pumpkins than I should have.  I fear come August the whole space will be over run with pumpkin vines.  But right now, I ok with that.


Once the veggie garden was well on it's way, I started working on weeding the flower garden.  I didn't take an pictures since I have most of it all torn up - I am trying for a more pleasing arrangement.

I did pick up this tiny bird bath from Walmart.  Isn't it cute.  I've planted my favorite annual around it, Cherry Profusion Zinna and can't hardly wait until its all filled in with blooms.  I'm thinking I may have to pick one up for the front yard too.  For twelve dollars - - why not!


I have a few more plants awaiting in the wagons to get planted . . . 


And some more off to the side laying around . . . went a little over board I think, but some of these plants are for the front yard garden - - that's how I justify it.


Oh, and I can't forget the two lilacs for the side of the house.


Speaking of lilacs, I planted one over three years ago and this year is the first time it has really had any flowers on it. 

 You can imagine my excitement.  

I want to rush out and pick them all, but on the other hand I'm waiting, fearing then I won't be able to enjoy it's beauty in the garden.  Ever get that way about a plant?


I will most likely pick a few from the back side of the shrub to bring into the house in order to enjoy them both ways!


And last but not least, it is truly summer time here at Happy At Home.  

How do I know?

Why the hammock is set up just waiting for a lazy afternoon!

Can't wait until one of those days come along.



How about you, any garden work happening at your home?

I'd love to hear ALL about it.

bye now,

Robin

June 2, 2014

Updating a Painting

We all enjoy quick and easy makeovers

Love the instant gratification in very little time.

To my way of thinking, painting a picture frame has got to be at the top of the list of all makeovers quick and easy.

Case and point.

This pretty hand painted scene I found at the thrift store.  I fell for the pretty blues in it right away but the frame -- not so pretty. 



You can't say "yuck" after a coat of white paint and a little distressing.




The colors of the painting pop out at you more now don't you think.



Easy, Quick and oh so pretty!

Love it.

bye now,

Robin

May 28, 2014

Two Days And Counting!!!!


In two day's time, life will change drastically!

School will be finished, and my house will be filled with kids ALL DAY LONG!

I've decided to take these last two precious days of quiet and be a complete lazy bum.

So instead of posting about projects, I'll be curled up with a good book and a bowl of popcorn enjoying the final days of a house all to myself.

See you next week.

Robin

May 21, 2014

A Hankering For . . . On The Go Craft Time

With kids activities and sports in full swing here, I find myself with alot of free time - - just sitting - - and waiting.

Waiting gets boring fast!!


To relieve my boredom, I've decided to pack up a "Crafting To-Go Bag"  that I can simple grab on my way out the door.

I've searched my Pinterest Boards and come up with a list of projects I would love to start and thought I'd share it here today just in case your like me and need a little "Craft Bag To-Go"  inspiration yourself.  

Here's what I've come up with.


Free Vintage Embroidery Pattern (plus others)










flower



VIBEKE DESIGN: Rød & Hvit jul... i år også!


Crochet Pillow - Pattern

Easy crochet bow tutorial

Crochet Edge Pillowcase Tutorial Part 1

I think any one of these projects will work perfectly for the Craft Bag. 

 I plan to gather supplies for two projects so I'll have some variety.

If it were up to you, which project would you start with?

Can't wait to see what you'd pick.

Robin